July 8, 2009

Today we went to visit Mt. Vernon to see the home of George Washington. We got there around 10am and had breakfast in the café and soon after saw a short introductory film in one of the theaters about Washington hosted by Pat Sajak!

After the film we headed out for a tour of the house. The line for the house tour was long and it took us about 45 to an hour in line. The wait was well worth it. The home was beautifully restored and painted with beautiful furnishings and house wares. The walls were painted an emerald green as Martha Washington would have had it, which was surprising to me. Few pieces that stuck out, and were Washington’s chair, harpsichord and the bed Washington died in. The house has three floors, but we only were able to visit two floors.

When we were finished with the tour we were able to roam the grounds, but before that we sat in the chairs in the back of the house that overlooked the Potomac River and enjoyed the view. The grounds have costumed workers such as a blacksmith to demonstrate life in those days. We visited the blacksmith house and watched him work before heading for lunch.

Next we went to visit Washington’s tomb. On the way we visited the fruit orchards, vegetable gardens, and pens for sheep, chickens and pigs. We visited the sheep and pigs on the way out again. The grounds were beautifully laid out and very peaceful. What a wonderful place to live!!!

To end our visit we went to the visitor center to look through the museum. We were very impressed by the furnishings, house wares, jewelry, clothing, paintings, guns, swords, buckle jewels, etc … everything was of the best quality. I believe they were a very wealthy couple and could afford the best that money could buy.